1 PhD. positions at the University of Žilina, Slovakia, Research Centre - Research Field: Mechanical Engineering

The basic condition for admission to the doctoral degree study (study programme of the third degree) is the full completion of the second degree of higher education (Higher Education Act, No.131/2002 Coll. as amended). In case of a foreign applicant or a student who has completed his/her study abroad he/she shall submit along with the application form no later than on the date of enrolment a decision on the recognition of the certificate of completion of the second degree of higher education recognized by a relevant institution in the Slovak Republic or he/she shall ask UNIZA for the recognition of the certificate of education.

Specific Requirements are set out in the call: Výzva: Štipendiá pre excelentných PhD. študentov a študentky (R1) - Výskumná a inovačná autorita (gov.sk)

Mechanical engineering technologies and materials are an essential part of production of machines and machine equipment operating in all sectors of the economy of developed countries in the world. For the currently required high reliability of the function and quality of the component, machines, tools, equipment, consumer goods, etc., the choice of material, its metallurgical preparation and processing technology into products with a final geometric shape, dimensions, and properties 5 is very important. It is therefore essential for advanced economies to have experts who know the connections between the composition, structure and properties of construction materials. The graduate of the study programme Technical Materials masters the methods of development and evaluation of metallic and non-metallic materials used in mechanical engineering (e.g. nanomaterials, materials for high-temperatures, materials for long-term load in radiation or corrosive environments, materials for high-speed machining, ultra-light materials, etc.). He/she understands connections between their composition, structure and properties. He/she has knowledge of new materials, technologies of their production and processing as well as methods of evaluation and influencing of performance. He/she deepens and expands the theoretical knowledge from technological disciplines in the field of metallurgy, progressive technologies of cutting and non-cutting metalworking, automation of technological processes and the possibility of their applications in mechanical engineering companies, taking into account qualitative, technical-economic and ecological aspects. The graduates of the doctoral degree study are qualified to work in research and development departments of production companies and companies in the field of production of technical materials, their technological processing into semi-finished products and products, as well as in the field of their quality control, purchase and sale, service and maintenance. They can work in top managerial positions in managing production departments with sophisticated production technology, at institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, at technical universities and technical higher education institutions. They are also employable in consultancy companies and organisations where higher degree of technical education is required.

Full time students of the doctoral degree study programmes are granted a scholarship pursuant to the Higher Education Act, No. 131/2002 Coll. (On higher education institutions and on amendments to certain acts), Section 54 (18). Remuneration: Scholarship €1,025.50 monthly /€1194 monthly after dissertation exam (normally after 24th month of study).

The basic and other terms and conditions of admission are applicable for applicants from abroad as well as for applicants from Slovakia. Foreign students who study in a foreign language (i.e. not Slovak), pay the tuition fee as stated in Section 92 (8) of the Higher Education Act. The tuition fee is specified by the UNIZA directive and published for the respective academic year on the University website. Foreign students who study in the Slovak language do not have to pay the tuition fee. Applicants 3 from the Czech Republic can use the form valid in the Czech Republic to submit their application for study. Applicants who do not actively speak Slovak or Czech are required to successfully complete their language training (it is possible to attend the Slovak language courses at UNIZA). For foreign applicants who were admitted on the basis of intergovernmental agreements, bilateral agreements or Slovak government grants, terms and conditions stated in the respective documents are applicable.

Selection procedure for the doctoral degree study is carried out in a form of an interview with each of the applicants individually in front of the admission committee.

The interview consists of two parts: The first part maps the overview of the applicant in the professional field related to the selected topic of the doctoral degree study; the second part is focused on the verification of knowledge of foreign languages and prerequisites for independent scientific work. The order of the applicants is drawn up by the admission committee in a secret ballot.

The selection board may also accept the decisions in the context of the appllication procedure from the first round of the an application procedure of Doctoral degree study for the academic year 2023/2024. In this case, it is not necessary to duplicate the applicant’s form or the new entrance examination. 

The term of extrance exams: 21 August - 31 August 2023 (The invitation will send to the appllicants and will contains detailed information).

Application forms shall be submitted for the individual study programmes. If the applicant wants to apply for more than one study programme, it is necessary to submit individual application forms for each study programme separately whereas the payment of the respective admission fee is required.

An incomplete application form or application form sent after the deadline will not be accepted. In the event of non-participation in the admission procedure or a failure in the admission procedure the Faculty does not refund the admission procedure fee. If the applicant wants to take part in the admission procedure at several faculties of UNIZA, the application forms must be submitted separately to each Faculty with the payment of the relevant fee.

Attachments to the doctoral degree application form: • curriculum vitae, • proof of payment of the admission fee, • copies of the diplomas.

Admission fee: Send € 20 to: Žilinská univerzita v Žiline, Univerzitná 1, 010 26 Žilina Bank: Štátna pokladnica IBAN: SK34 8180 0000 0070 0026 9861 const. symbol: 0308 variable symbol: 10233 – doktorandské štúdium Payment method: payment can be made by bank transfer or postal order to the above account. Proof of payment: proof of payment is to be sent to the Faculty address with the application form.